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Jul 19 Ella gets gold for Great Britain

In a recent blog post we told you about alumna Ella Gibson, who had a kidney transplant six years ago which was donated to her by her mum, and was about to head off to Malaga to compete in the 2017 World Transplant Games.

Ella has recently returned from the Games having won six medals!

Ella joined over 1000 transplant athletes and donor families from 52 countries across the globe who took part in this spectacular event, competing in sporting events, celebrating life and raising awareness of organ donation.

Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland broke their 2016 record by bringing home 360 medals from the Games, 166 of those gold. Ella competed in five events to win six medals! She took part in the 5 km road race run (bronze), 5 km individual time trial bike (bronze), 400 m freestyle swim (bronze), 800 m track run (bronze) and 30 km road race bike (silver), with the longer run, cycle and swim compiling to win her gold in the virtual triathlon.

Lynne Holt, GB Team Manager said, “All athletes at the World Transplant Games had to be at their peak physical fitness to compete which clearly demonstrates the benefits of organ transplantation. But perhaps more importantly, the Games put a global spotlight on the need for organ donation and the need for more people to join the organ donation register.

We are proud to have won 360 medals at the World Transplant Games against some very stiff competition. However, the true champions are those individuals that gave the gift of life, offering all these athletes their second chance to live.”

Each participants of the Games is a living example of the success of organ transplantation and the celebration of life which is essential to the games.

After returning home from the Games, Ella Said, “It was inspiring to meet so many other transplant recipients and hear their incredible stories of how they made it to the Games. And I’m so proud to be part of the Outstanding Team of the Year, my fellow Team GB and NI athletes aren’t just amazing sportspeople but kind and supportive teammates and friends.”

The aim of the Games is to demonstrate the benefits of transplantation and encouraging transplant patients to regain fitness whilst increasing public awareness of the need for more people to sign on the NHS Organ Donation Register and discuss their wishes now with their families.

For more information on registering on the NHS Organ Donor Register, please telephone 0300 123 23 23, or go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk.